An Exploration of the Nature and Prevalence of Substance Use in a Forensic Population and an Evaluation of Its Role in Recall to Hospital

The aim of this study is to compare substance use by forensic patients who have been formally recalled to hospital with those who remain conditionally discharged in the community. Data were collected from recalled patients (recalled group; RG) and those who remain conditionally discharged (discharged group; DG). A drug history was taken alongside wellbeing measures and screening of case notes. Cannabis use was significantly more prevalent in the RG post-discharge and subsequently in the community. Analysis comparing substance use in the community at different time points found that the DG was significantly less likely to be using cannabis post-discharge and subsequently in the community, compared to use at the time of their index offence. In contrast, the RG showed no change in cannabis use across time. Users of cannabis and alcohol post-discharge spent a significantly shorter amount of time in the community than non-users. Cannabis and alcohol appear associated with recall to hospital.